JP2018057586A - Information display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information display device capable of suppressing occurrence of such a situation in which a data display screen desired by a user cannot be displayed on a display part.SOLUTION: A call lamp 40 is configured so that a menu screen 100 displays six thumbnail images 110-120. Each of the six thumbnail images 110-120 corresponds to each of six kinds of data display screens generated by a control part 80, and is an image based on an image of a screen having a common display form to the data display screen. The control part displays the data display screen corresponding to the thumbnail images 110 on a display part 44, when a selection instruction for selecting the thumbnail image 110 is input.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an information display device.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an information display device for displaying information related to game contents in a gaming machine. This information display device includes a display unit and a control unit for displaying various types of information. The control unit acquires data relating to game content in the gaming machine, and based on the acquired data, a plurality of types of data display screens (for example, a screen showing the game content of the gaming machine in the past predetermined period, a past predetermined period Screen that introduces various data such as winning percentage of the game machine, number of balls, etc., a screen that shows the number of times the game machine has been in the past for a predetermined period, a screen that shows the expected information on the future game status, etc.) Then, they are selectively displayed on the display unit in accordance with a user instruction.

  In the information display device of Patent Document 1, the names (for example, “table map”, “departure forecast”, etc.) of a plurality of types of data display screens are displayed on a predetermined menu screen. When a name corresponding to one data display screen is selected by the user, the control unit causes the display unit to display a data display screen corresponding to the selected name.

JP 2005-58541 A

  In the information display device of Patent Document 1, when the user sees each name displayed on the menu screen, which name corresponds to what data display screen (that is, which name should be selected and which It may be difficult to properly grasp such information). In that case, there is a possibility that the user may not be able to display a desired data display screen on the display unit.

  The present specification discloses an information display device that can suppress the occurrence of a situation in which a user cannot display a desired data display screen on a display unit.

  The information display device disclosed in this specification includes a display unit for displaying various types of information and a control unit. The control unit includes an acquisition unit that acquires device data related to the operating status of the device, a generation unit that generates N types (N is an integer of 2 or more) of data display screens based on the acquired device data, When a menu display instruction is input to the information display device, the first display control unit displays a menu screen including M thumbnail images (M is an integer not less than 1 and not more than N) on the display unit. Each of the thumbnail images corresponds to each of M types of data display screens among the N types of data display screens, and is an image based on an image of a screen having a display format common to the data display screen. When a selection instruction for selecting the first thumbnail image among the M thumbnail images is input while the first display control unit and the menu screen are displayed on the display unit. Of M types of data display screen comprises displaying a first data display screen corresponding to the first thumbnail image on the display unit, a second display control unit.

  Here, “an image of a screen having a display format common to the data display screen” means, for example, an image of a screen having the same display layout as the data display screen (that is, the arrangement relationship of displayed data, etc.). Including. If such a screen image has a common display format with the corresponding data display screen, the data display screen includes specific data contents (for example, numerical values) displayed on the screen. May be common or different.

  In the information display table, M thumbnail images are displayed on the menu screen. Each of the M thumbnail images corresponds to each of M types of data display screens, and is an image based on a screen image having a display format common to the data display screen. Therefore, the user can grasp what information (that is, the data display screen) can be viewed by selecting which thumbnail image by viewing the M thumbnail images on the menu screen. Then, when the selection instruction for selecting the first thumbnail image is input, the control unit displays a first data display screen corresponding to the first thumbnail image on the display unit instead of the menu screen. To do. Therefore, according to said information display apparatus, generation | occurrence | production of the situation where a user cannot display a desired data display screen on a display part can be suppressed.

  Each of the M thumbnail images may correspond to each of the M types of data display screens selected by the user from among the N types of data display screens.

  According to this configuration, the thumbnail image that the user desires to display can be displayed on the menu screen. It becomes easy for the user to display a desired data display screen on the display unit. The “user” mentioned here means a user of the device, and may include a person who manages the device in addition to a person who uses the device.

  When a specific condition is satisfied, the control unit displays a second thumbnail image corresponding to the second data display screen related to the specific condition among the N types of data display screens on the menu screen. You may further provide the 3rd display control part displayed distinguishing from the other thumbnail image in a screen.

  According to this configuration, the information display device can prompt the user to display the second data display screen related to the specific condition on the display unit.

  The information display device may be an operation unit that is provided separately from the display unit and can be operated by the user, and may further include an operation unit having a notification unit. The control unit may further include a notification control unit that causes the notification unit of the operation unit to perform a notification operation when a specific condition is satisfied.

  According to this configuration, the information display device can notify the user that a specific condition has been established.

  Note that a control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program for realizing the information display device are also novel and useful.

The schematic diagram of the game system 2 of 1st Example is shown. The call lamp 40 which is displaying the menu screen 100 is shown. The calling lamp 40 that is displaying the multi-data screen 150 is shown. The call lamp 40 in the notification state is shown. The call lamp 40 which is displaying the setting screen 160 is shown. The schematic diagram of the energy management system 200 of 2nd Example is shown. The management apparatus 220 which is displaying the menu screen 300 is shown.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of gaming system 2; FIG. 1)
A gaming system 2 shown in FIG. 1 is a system arranged in a gaming store such as a pachinko store, where a user plays a game using a gaming machine, and a manager of the gaming store manages the gaming situation of the user. System. The gaming system 2 includes a game-related device 4, a stand unit (“DU” in FIG. 1) 90, an island unit (“SU” in FIG. 1) 92, a hall computer (“HC” in FIG. 1) 94, Is provided. The game-related device 4 is communicably connected to the hall computer 94 via the base unit 90 and the island unit 92. In the example of FIG. 1, only one game-related device 4 is illustrated, but a plurality of game-related devices having the same configuration as the game-related device 4 of FIG. 1 are installed in an actual game store. Yes. Similarly, a plurality of table units 90 and island units 92 are also installed in the game store. Although not shown, other devices (for example, a card unit, a POS, a counter, etc.) connected to each device 4, 90, 92 in a communicable manner are also installed in the game store. A plurality of game-related devices in the game store can communicate with each other via other devices (for example, at least one of a table unit 90, an island unit 92, a hall computer 94, a card unit, a POS, a counter, etc.) It is connected. In another example, a plurality of game-related devices in a game store may be connected to be communicable with each other.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the game-related device 4 will be described in detail. The game-related device 4 includes a gaming machine 10, an outmeter 20, a sand 30, and a calling lamp 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming machine 10, the outmeter 20, the sand 30, and the calling lamp 40 are all connected so as to be communicable with the base unit 90. Further, the gaming machine 10 and the calling lamp 40 are connected so as to communicate with each other.

  The gaming machine 10 is a slot machine that uses medals as gaming media. The gaming machine 10 transmits various signals (for example, a safe signal, a special prize signal, etc.) indicating the gaming state of the own machine to the corresponding calling lamp 40. The safe signal and the special prize signal are merely examples of signals transmitted by the gaming machine 10, and the signals transmitted by the gaming machine 10 are not limited to these three types. Moreover, in the modification, the gaming machine 10 may transmit the various signals described above to the calling lamp 40 via another device (for example, the base unit 90).

  The safe signal is a signal indicating that game media has been paid out from the gaming machine 10. The special signal indicates that the gaming machine 10 has entered a special prize state (that is, one of a big bonus state (BIG), a regular bonus state (REG), or an assist replay time state (ART)) or the special prize state of the gaming machine 10. Is a signal indicating that has ended.

  The outmeter 20 is a device provided below the gaming machine 10. The outmeter 20 transmits a so-called out signal to the corresponding calling lamp 40 when a game medium is inserted into the corresponding gaming machine 10. In a modification, the out meter 20 may transmit the out signal to the calling lamp 40 via another device (for example, the table unit 90).

  The sand 30 is a device that is provided on the side of the gaming machine 10 and between the gaming machine 10 and another gaming machine (not shown). The sand 30 is a terminal device for providing various services to the user such as rental of game media and card processing. The sand 30 includes a touch panel, a bill slot, a card processing unit, a medal lending unit, and the like. The touch panel is integrally provided with a display for displaying various information and an operation unit that allows a user to input various instructions to the sand 30 by touching the display. The bill insertion slot accepts bills inserted by the user. The card processing unit executes card processing related to the card (including card issuance, reading, discharging, collecting, etc.). The medal lending unit lends game media (that is, medals) to the user in accordance with the user's operation.

(Configuration of calling lamp 40; FIG. 2)
The call lamp 40 is a device provided above the gaming machine 10. Hereinafter, the configuration of the calling lamp 40 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 schematically shows the calling lamp 40 viewed from the front. The calling lamp 40 includes a housing 42, a display unit 44, a speaker 46, a light emitting unit 50, an operation unit 60, and a control unit 80.

  The housing 42 is a case that constitutes the main body of the calling lamp 40. The display unit 44 is a display (for example, a liquid crystal display) for displaying various information. For example, the display unit 44 can display a graph or a table indicating information indicating the status of a game being played on the gaming machine 10, information on game results of the gaming machine 10 in a past predetermined period, and the like. The display unit 44 is provided on the surface of the front part of the housing 42 (that is, a surface parallel to the front of the gaming machine 10). The speaker 46 is an audio output unit for outputting audio. The speaker 46 is provided on the right side of the display unit 44 on the surface of the housing 42 when the housing 42 is viewed from the front.

  The light emitting unit 50 includes a plurality of types of LEDs, and can emit light in a plurality of types according to instructions from the control unit 80. The light emitting unit 50 is provided on the surface of the housing 42. Here, the “plural types of modes” include a plurality of types of colors (light emission colors), light emission patterns (lighting, blinking, interval lighting, etc.), or combinations thereof. In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 50 has two areas of a first area 52 and a second area 54. When the casing 42 is viewed from the front, the first area 52 is provided on the inner side (that is, around the display unit 44), and the second area 54 is on the outer side of the first area 52, and It is provided along the outer peripheral edge of the body 42.

  The second area 54 includes a right edge 42R (that is, a portion including a right side parallel to the right side of the gaming machine 10) and a left edge 42L (that is, the right side of the gaming machine 10) of the housing 42. And a portion including the left side surface portion parallel to the upper edge portion 42U. The second area 54 incorporates a plurality of types of LEDs, and in accordance with instructions from the control unit 80, a plurality of types (that is, a plurality of types of colors (light emission colors), light emission patterns (lighting and blinking). , Interval lighting, etc.), or a combination thereof).

  The first area 52 is provided in a portion between the second area 54 and the display unit 44 in the front portion of the housing 42. That is, the first area 52 includes a portion of the housing 42 between the right edge 42R and the display 44, a portion between the left edge 42L and the display 44, and the upper edge 42U and the display. 44 is provided on the surface of the portion between 44. The first area 52 also includes a plurality of LEDs of a plurality of types, and in accordance with instructions from the control unit 80, a plurality of types (that is, a plurality of types of colors (light emission colors), light emission patterns (lighting and blinking). , Interval lighting, etc.), or a combination thereof). The type and number of LEDs built into the first area 52 may be larger than the type and number of LEDs built into the second area 54.

  The operation unit 60 includes a plurality of buttons including a normal call button 62, a service call button 64, a menu display button 66, and selection buttons 68 and 70. A user playing a game on the gaming machine 10 can input various instructions to the calling lamp 40 by operating buttons. The normal call button 62 is a button operated by a user playing a game on the gaming machine 10 in order to call a clerk at a gaming store for a reason related to the game (for example, a ball break or a trouble with the gaming machine 10). The service call button 64 is a button operated by a user playing a game on the gaming machine 10 in order to call a staff member of a game store for a service unrelated to the game (for example, a drink or a hand towel). The menu display button 66 is a button for causing the display unit 44 to display a predetermined menu screen (see reference numeral 100 in FIG. 2). The selection buttons 68 and 70 are buttons for selecting thumbnail images (see reference numerals 110 to 120 in FIG. 2) displayed on the menu screen. In this embodiment, each button of the operation unit 60 has a built-in LED. In the present embodiment, the LED of each button emits light according to an instruction from the control unit 80, so that the visual effect that each button emits light can be exhibited.

  The control unit 80 is electrically connected to the display unit 44, the speaker 46, the light emitting unit 50, and the operation unit 60, and is a controller that controls these elements. The control unit 80 executes various processes according to a program stored in advance. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 80 is built in the housing 42.

(Processing of control unit 80 and display contents of display unit 44; FIGS. 2 to 5)
Next, the processing of the control unit 80 and the display content of the display unit 44 in various situations will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Normal time)
As described above, the gaming machine 10 and the outmeter 20 transmit various signals related to the operating status of the gaming machine 10 to the calling lamp 40. The control unit 80 of the calling lamp 40 generates a plurality of types of data display screens for displaying data related to the operating status of the gaming machine 10 based on the received various signals. The plurality of types of data display screens include various screens such as a multi-data screen (see reference numeral 150 in FIG. 3), a slump graph screen, a bonus history screen, a target zone screen, a data list screen, and a medal screen. . The multi-data screen is a screen that shows an outline of the operating status of the gaming machine 10. The slump graph screen is a screen showing the variation of the payout (that is, the medal payout status) in a graph. The big hit history screen is a screen showing data related to big hits, such as the time of a special prize state (that is, big hit) that occurred in the past, the number of games, the number of acquired medals, and the like. The aim zone screen is a screen showing the number of occurrences of big hits, the occurrence rate, etc. for each range of the number of games (eg, “1 to 100”, etc.). The data list screen is a screen that displays a list of various data obtained by analyzing the details of past games in the gaming machine 10. The medal screen is a screen showing the number of medals currently paid out and the number of boxes containing the acquired medals. The control unit 80 updates the display contents (that is, data) of each data display screen each time various signals are received.

(Menu screen 100; FIG. 2)
When the user presses the menu display button 66 of the calling lamp 40, the control unit 80 causes the display unit 44 to display the menu screen 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the menu screen 100 includes six thumbnail images 110 to 120. Each of the six thumbnail images 110 to 120 corresponds to each of the six types of data display screens generated by the control unit 80, and is an image based on a screen image having a display format common to the data display screen. is there. Here, “an image based on an image of a screen having a display format common to the data display screen” means, for example, a screen having a common display layout (that is, an arrangement relationship of displayed data, etc.) with the data display screen. It is the image of. For example, the thumbnail image 110 corresponds to a multi-data screen (see reference numeral 150 in FIG. 3). The thumbnail image 110 is an image obtained by reducing a model screen having a display format common to the multi-data screen. That is, the display layout of the model screen is the same as that of the multi-data screen, but specific data contents (for example, numerical values) displayed on the model screen are different from those included in the actual multi-data screen. Similarly, the thumbnail images 112, 114, 116, 118, and 120 correspond to a slump graph screen, a bonus history screen, a target zone screen, a data list screen, and a medal screen, respectively. It is the image which reduced the model screen which has a display format. As will be described later, each of the thumbnail images 110 to 120 displayed on the menu screen 100 is previously selected by the user (or administrator). Further, the menu screen 100 displays a cursor 130 indicating the currently selected thumbnail image. When the user presses the selection buttons 68 and 70, the position of the cursor 130 changes. When the user performs a predetermined selection operation (for example, an operation of pressing the menu display button 66) while the cursor 130 selects a desired thumbnail image (for example, 110), the control unit 80 replaces the menu screen 100 with the cursor. A data display screen (for example, the multi-data screen 150) corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in 130 is displayed on the display unit 44.

  In this embodiment, each of the thumbnail images 110 to 120 is an image obtained by reducing a model screen having a display format common to the corresponding data display screen. In another example, the thumbnail images 110 to 120 may be images obtained by reducing the captured image when the corresponding data display screen is last displayed on the display unit 44. In yet another example, each of the thumbnail images 110 to 120 is an image obtained by reducing each data display screen (that is, a real-time data display screen) generated by the control unit 80 at the time of display of the menu screen 100. May be. These images are also examples of “an image based on a screen image having a display format common to the data display screen”.

(Multi-data screen 150; FIG. 3)
When the user performs a selection operation for selecting the thumbnail image 110 while the menu screen 100 (FIG. 2) is displayed on the display unit 44, the control unit 80 displays the menu screen 100 in FIG. Instead, a multi-data screen 150 (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 110 is displayed on the display unit 44. As shown in FIG. 3, the multi-data screen 150 includes a data display area 152, a slump graph display area 154, and an acquired number graph display area 156. In the data display area 152, various data such as the number of BIG (big bonus), the number of final games of the previous day, the total number of games, the number of REG (regular bonus) on the day, the number of ART (assist replay time), and the like are represented by numerical values. In the slump graph display area 154, a graph (so-called slump graph) showing the transition of the ball of the present day, two days ago, one day ago is displayed. In the acquired number graph display area 156, a graph showing the acquired number of sheets for each time period is displayed. However, the multi-data screen 150 in FIG. 3 is merely an example, and other data may be displayed.

(Notification state; Fig. 4)
The control unit 80 of the calling lamp 40 monitors whether a specific notification condition set in advance is satisfied based on various received signals. Here, the specific notification condition is, for example, that the number of games in the gaming machine 10 (that is, the number of games since the occurrence of the previous special prize state) falls within the range of the number of games with a high probability of occurrence of the next special prize state, The number of medals has exceeded 8,000. When the control unit 80 determines that the number of games in the gaming machine 10 is within the range of the number of games with a high probability of occurrence of the next special prize state, the control unit 80 causes the display unit 44 to display the menu screen 100 shown in FIG. The menu screen 100 of FIG. 4 has the same basic display contents as the menu screen 100 of FIG. 2, but the arrangement and size of the thumbnail images 110 to 120 are different from the example of FIG. In the menu screen 100 of FIG. 4, a thumbnail image 116 corresponding to the target zone screen related to the number of games in the gaming machine 10 entering the range of the number of games with a high probability of occurrence of the next special prize state is displayed on the screen. In the upper left of, it is displayed larger than other thumbnail images.

  Further, the control unit 80 can cause the LED built in the menu display button 66 to emit light. Thereby, the visual effect that the menu display button 66 emits light can be exhibited, and the user can be prompted to perform a selection operation for selecting the thumbnail image 116.

(Setting screen 160; FIG. 5)
When the user performs a predetermined setting screen display operation on the operation unit 60, the control unit 80 displays the setting screen 160 shown in FIG. The setting screen 160 in FIG. 5 is a screen for the user to select thumbnail images to be displayed on the menu screen 100 (FIGS. 2 and 4). As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of thumbnail images 162 to 176 are displayed on the setting screen 160. Each of the thumbnail images 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 174, 176 in FIG. 5 is a multi-data screen, a slump graph screen, a big history screen, a three-day data screen (ie, the past of the gaming machine 10). 3 screens), a target zone screen, a data list screen, a medal screen, and a multi-history screen (that is, a screen showing the number of occurrences of BIG, REG, etc. in the past week). That is, each of the plurality of thumbnail images displayed on the setting screen 160 corresponds to each of a plurality of types of data display screens generated by the control unit 80 based on various received signals. In addition, the setting screen 160 displays a cursor 180 indicating the currently selected thumbnail image. The user can select up to six thumbnail images desired to be displayed on the menu screen 100 among the thumbnail images 162 to 176 on the setting screen 160. As shown in FIG. 5, shaded display is performed on the selected thumbnail images 162 and 164, and numbers indicating the selected order are displayed. Each thumbnail image selected on the setting screen 160 is displayed on the menu screen 100 (FIGS. 2 and 4).

  In the above example, the example in which the user performs a predetermined setting screen display operation on the operation unit 60 has been described. However, in another example, the administrator of the amusement shop operates the hall computer 300 to perform the same operation. Similar settings may be performed by performing a setting screen display operation. In that case, a screen similar to the setting screen 160 may be displayed on the hall computer 300. The hall computer 300 may transmit information indicating the selection result by the administrator to the control unit 80 of the calling lamp 40. The control unit 80 may select a thumbnail image displayed on the menu screen 100 (FIGS. 2 and 4) based on the information indicating the selection result received from the hall computer 300.

  The gaming system 2 according to the present embodiment has been described above. As described above, in the calling lamp 40 according to the present embodiment, the six thumbnail images 110 to 120 are displayed on the menu screen 100. Each of the six thumbnail images 110 to 120 corresponds to each of the six types of data display screens generated by the control unit 80, and is an image based on a screen image having a display format common to the data display screen. is there. Therefore, the user can grasp what information (that is, the data display screen) can be viewed by selecting which thumbnail image by viewing the six thumbnail images 110 to 120 on the menu screen 100. Then, when a selection instruction for selecting the thumbnail image 110 is input, the control unit 80 displays a multi-data screen 150 corresponding to the thumbnail image 110 on the display unit 44 instead of the menu screen 100. Therefore, according to the call lamp 40 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the user cannot display a desired data display screen on the display unit 44.

  Each of the six thumbnail images 110 to 120 displayed on the menu screen 100 is selected by the user on the setting screen 160. Therefore, the thumbnail image that the user desires to display can be displayed on the menu screen 100. As a result, the user can easily display a desired data display screen on the display unit 44.

  When the specific notification condition is satisfied (for example, when the number of games in the gaming machine 10 falls within the range of the number of games with a high probability of occurrence of the next special prize state), the control unit 80 displays the menu shown in FIG. The screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 44. In the menu screen 100 of FIG. 4, the thumbnail image 116 corresponding to the target zone screen is displayed in a large size so as to stand out from the other thumbnail images in the upper left of the screen. Therefore, the call lamp 40 can prompt the user to display on the display unit 44 a target data screen related to the specific notification condition being satisfied.

  Furthermore, the control unit 80 can cause the LED built in the menu display button 66 to emit light when a specific notification condition is satisfied. Thereby, the visual effect that the menu display button 66 emits light can be exhibited, and the user can be prompted to perform a selection operation for selecting the thumbnail image 116.

  The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be described. The call lamp 40 is an example of an “information display device”. The gaming machine 10 and the outmeter 20 are examples of “devices”. Various signals (safe signal, special prize signal, out signal, etc.) received by the control unit 80 are examples of “device data”. 2 is an example of a “first thumbnail image”, and the multi-data screen 150 of FIG. 3 is an example of a “first data display screen”. The thumbnail image 116 in FIG. 4 is an example of a “second thumbnail image”, and the target zone screen is an example of a “second data display screen”. The LED built in each button of the operation unit 60 is an example of “notification means”. The operation in which the control unit 80 causes the LEDs in the menu display button 66 to emit light is an example of the “notification operation”.

(Second embodiment)
The technology of the first embodiment can also be applied to a system for managing information related to various types of energy in a house.

(Configuration of energy management system 200; FIG. 6)
The energy management system 200 shown in FIG. 6 is a system installed in a house 201, and includes the amount of power generated by a solar power generator 210, the amount of power used by an air conditioner 212, a lighting fixture 214, and the like, This is a system for managing information related to various types of energy in the house 201, such as the amount of hot water stored in the hot water heater 216, the amount of hot water used in the house 201, and the electricity bill. As shown in FIG. 6, the energy management system 200 can communicate with the solar power generator 210, the air conditioner 212, the lighting fixture 214, the hot water storage type water heater 216, and these devices 210 to 216 via the Internet. And a management device 220 connected to the network.

  The solar power generator 210 is a power generator 210 for generating power using sunlight. The solar power generator 210 transmits data indicating the amount of power generated every predetermined time to the management device 220. The air conditioner 212 consumes electric power to cool or heat the room. The lighting fixture 214 consumes electric power to illuminate the room. The air conditioner 212 and the lighting fixture 214 transmit data indicating the amount of power used every predetermined time to the management device 220. The hot water storage type water heater 216 consumes electric power to heat the water to make hot water, stores the hot water in a tank, and supplies it to the hot water supply location. The hot water storage type water heater 216 transmits data indicating the amount of power used every predetermined time, data indicating the amount of stored hot water, data indicating the amount of hot water used, and the like to the management device 220. Hereinafter, the above-described data transmitted from the devices 210 to 216 to the management apparatus 220 may be collectively referred to as “device data”.

(Configuration of management device 220; FIG. 7)
The management device 220 is a device provided in the house 201. Hereinafter, the configuration of the management apparatus 220 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the management device 220 includes a housing 222, a display unit 230, an operation unit 240, and a control unit 250.

  The housing 222 is a case that constitutes the main body of the management device 220. The display unit 230 is a display (for example, a liquid crystal display) for displaying various information. For example, the display unit 230 can display information indicating the monthly total power consumption of the devices 210 to 216, information indicating the monthly electricity bill of the house 201, and the like.

  The operation unit 240 includes a menu display button 242 and selection buttons 244 and 246. A manager (for example, a resident) of the house 201 can input various instructions to the management device 220 by operating buttons. The menu display button 242 is a button for causing the display unit 230 to display a predetermined menu screen (see reference numeral 300 in FIG. 2). The selection buttons 244 and 246 are buttons for selecting thumbnail images (see reference numerals 302 to 310 in FIG. 2) displayed on the menu screen. Also in this embodiment, each button of the operation unit 240 has a built-in LED. Even in this embodiment, the LED of each button emits light in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 250, so that the visual effect that each button emits light can be exhibited.

  The control unit 250 is electrically connected to the display unit 230 and the operation unit 240, and is a controller that controls these elements. In addition, as described above, the control unit 250 is connected to the devices 210 to 216 in the house 201 through the Internet so as to be communicable. The control unit 250 executes various processes according to a program stored in advance. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 250 is built in the housing 222.

  Next, processing of the control unit 250 and display contents of the display unit 230 in various situations will be described.

(Normal time)
As described above, each of the devices 210 to 216 has device data (data indicating the amount of power used for each predetermined time, data indicating the amount of power generation, data indicating the amount of hot water storage, hot water) for each predetermined time. Data indicating the amount of use) is transmitted to the management apparatus 220 via the Internet. When receiving the device data transmitted from each of the devices 210 to 216, the control unit 250 of the management apparatus 220 generates a plurality of types of data display screens based on the received device data. The plural types of data display screens include various screens such as a current month power consumption screen, a monthly power consumption screen, a current month power generation amount screen, a current month hot water usage screen, a monthly electricity bill screen, and the like. The current month power consumption screen is a screen showing the power consumption amount of the current month in the house 201. The monthly power consumption screen is a screen showing the monthly power consumption in the house 201. The current month power generation amount screen is a screen showing the amount of power generation by the solar power generator 210 in the current month. The current month hot water usage screen is a screen showing the current month's hot water usage in the house 201. The monthly electricity bill screen is a screen showing the monthly electricity bill in the house 201. The control unit 250 updates the display contents (that is, data) of each data display screen each time device data is received.

(Menu screen; Fig. 7)
When the menu display button 242 of the management apparatus 220 is pressed by the user, the control unit 250 causes the display unit 230 to display the menu screen 300 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the menu screen 300 includes five thumbnail images 302 to 310. Each of the five thumbnail images 302 to 310 corresponds to each of the five types of data display screens generated by the control unit 250, and is an image based on a screen image having a display format common to the data display screen. is there. Also in the present embodiment, “an image based on an image of a screen having a display format common to the data display screen” has, for example, the same data display screen and a display layout (that is, an arrangement relationship of displayed data, etc.). It is an image of the screen to be performed. For example, the thumbnail image 302 corresponds to the current month power consumption screen. The thumbnail image 302 is an image obtained by reducing a model screen having a display format common to the current month power consumption screen. That is, the display layout of the model screen is the same as that of the current month power consumption screen, but the specific data contents (for example, numerical values) displayed in the model screen are different from those included in the actual current month power consumption screen. Yes. Similarly, the thumbnail images 304, 306, 308, and 310 correspond to a monthly power consumption screen, a current month power generation amount screen, a current month hot water usage amount screen, and a monthly electricity rate screen, respectively. It is the image which reduced the model screen which has.

  Further, the menu screen 300 displays a cursor 320 indicating the currently selected thumbnail image. When the user presses the selection buttons 244 and 246, the position of the cursor 320 changes. When the user performs a predetermined selection operation (for example, an operation of pressing the menu display button 242) while the cursor 320 selects a desired thumbnail image (for example, 302), the control unit 250 replaces the menu screen 300 with the cursor. A data display screen (for example, a current month power consumption screen (not shown)) corresponding to the thumbnail image selected in 320 is displayed on the display unit 230. Although not shown in detail, on the current power consumption screen, the power consumption value in the house 201 for the current month is represented by a graph and a numerical value.

  Also in this embodiment, which thumbnail image is displayed on the menu screen 300 is determined in advance by the user (or administrator) on a predetermined setting screen (not shown), as in the first embodiment. Is selected.

  Also in this embodiment, the thumbnail images 302 to 310 are images obtained by reducing a model screen having a display format common to the corresponding data display screen. In another example, the thumbnail images 302 to 310 may be images obtained by reducing the captured image when the corresponding data display screen is last displayed on the display unit 230. In yet another example, each of the thumbnail images 302 to 310 is an image obtained by reducing each data display screen (that is, a real-time data display screen) generated by the control unit 250 at the time of display of the menu screen 300. May be. These images are also examples of “an image based on a screen image having a display format common to the data display screen”.

(Notification status)
Also in this embodiment, the control unit 250 of the management apparatus 220 monitors whether a specific notification condition set in advance is satisfied based on various received device data. The specific notification condition in the present embodiment is, for example, that the amount of power generation in the current month exceeds the previous month, that the electricity rate in the current month exceeds the previous month, and the like. When the control unit 250 determines that the power generation amount of the current month has exceeded the previous month, the control unit 250 displays the menu screen 300 on the display unit 230. However, in the menu screen 300 in this case, the thumbnail image (reference numeral 306 in FIG. 7) corresponding to the current month power generation amount screen related to the current month power generation amount is more conspicuous in the upper left of the screen than other thumbnail images. Large display.

  Further, the control unit 250 can cause the LED built in the menu display button 242 to emit light. As a result, the visual effect that the menu display button 242 emits light can be exhibited, and the user can be prompted to perform a selection operation for selecting the thumbnail image 306.

  The energy management system 200 according to the present embodiment has been described above. Also in this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the user looks at the five thumbnail images 302 to 310 on the menu screen 300, and what information (that is, the data display screen) should be selected. You can see what you can see. Then, when a selection instruction for selecting the thumbnail image 302 is input, the control unit 250 displays the current month power consumption screen corresponding to the thumbnail image 302 on the display unit 230 instead of the menu screen 300. Therefore, according to the management apparatus 220 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a situation in which the user cannot display a desired data display screen on the display unit 230.

  Also in this embodiment, each of the five thumbnail images 302 to 310 displayed on the menu screen 300 is selected by the user on a predetermined setting screen (not shown). Therefore, on the menu screen 300, the thumbnail image that the user desires to display can be displayed. As a result, the user can easily display a desired data display screen on the display unit 230.

  In addition, when a specific notification condition is satisfied (for example, when the power generation amount of the current month exceeds the previous month), the control unit 250 makes the thumbnail image 306 corresponding to the current power generation amount screen stand out from the other thumbnail images. The large menu screen 300 is displayed on the display unit 230. Therefore, the management device 220 can prompt the user to cause the display unit 230 to display the current month power generation amount screen related to the specific notification condition being satisfied.

  Furthermore, the control unit 250 can cause the LED built in the menu display button 242 to emit light when a specific notification condition is satisfied. As a result, the visual effect that the menu display button 242 emits light can be exhibited, and the user can be prompted to perform a selection operation for selecting the thumbnail image 306.

  The correspondence between this embodiment and the claims will be described. The management device 220 is an example of an “information display device”. The solar power generator 210, the air conditioner 212, the lighting fixture 214, and the hot water storage type water heater 216 are examples of “devices”.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of the technique disclosed by the present Example was described in detail, said Example is only an illustration and does not limit a claim. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. For example, the following modifications may be adopted.

(Modification 1) In the first embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is a slot machine. However, the gaming machine may be another gaming machine such as a pachinko machine using a pachinko ball as a gaming medium. .

(Modification 2) In the first embodiment described above, the menu screen 100 displays the cursor 130 indicating the currently selected thumbnail image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the thumbnail image currently selected on the menu screen 100 may be indicated by another method. For example, the selected thumbnail image may be displayed larger than the other thumbnail images, or only the selected thumbnail image may be displayed in color, and the other thumbnail images may be displayed in monochrome. Further, the configuration of this modification may be applied to the menu screen 300 of the second embodiment.

(Modification 3) In the first embodiment described above, the control unit 80 determines that the number of games in the gaming machine 10 falls within the range of the number of games with a high probability of occurrence of the next special prize state (that is, specific notification conditions). 4), the thumbnail screen 116 corresponding to the target zone screen is displayed on the display unit 44 at the upper left corner of the screen so that it is displayed larger than the other thumbnail images. Display. Without being limited thereto, when the specific notification condition is satisfied, the control unit 80 displays the thumbnail image corresponding to the data display screen related to the specific notification condition separately from the other thumbnail images. Each thumbnail image may be displayed by any method. Therefore, for example, the control unit 80 may display only thumbnail images corresponding to the data display screen related to the specific notification condition in color, and display other thumbnail images in monochrome. Moreover, you may apply the structure of this modification when the specific alerting | reporting conditions are satisfy | filled in 2nd Example.

(Modification 4) In the first embodiment, the control unit 80 causes the LED built in the menu display button 66 to emit light when a specific notification condition is satisfied. The control unit 80 is not limited to this, and when a specific notification condition is satisfied, the control unit 80 performs an arbitrary notification operation such as causing the LED built in the menu display button 66 to emit light and outputting a notification sound from the speaker 46. You may go. Moreover, you may apply the structure of this modification when the specific alerting | reporting conditions are satisfy | filled in 2nd Example.

(Modification 5) In the first embodiment, the display unit 44 and the operation unit 60 of the call lamp 40 are provided separately (see FIG. 2). Instead of this, the display unit and the operation unit may be integrally provided as a touch panel. You may apply the structure of this modification to the management apparatus 220 of 2nd Example.

(Modification 6) In the first embodiment, the calling lamp 40 is not limited to the upper side of the gaming machine 10 and may be provided on the side of the gaming machine 10.

(Modification 7) In the first embodiment, the example in which the calling lamp 40 includes the display unit 44, the light emitting unit 50, the operation unit 60, and the control unit 80 has been described. Alternatively, the sand 30 may include a display unit, a light emitting unit, an operation unit, and a control unit, and the sand control unit may display a menu screen or the like on the display unit. In this modification, the sand 30 is an example of an “information display device”.

(Modification 8) In the first embodiment, in response to the user operating the operation unit 60, the control unit 80 causes the various screens (that is, the menu screen 100, the data display screen (for example, the multi-data screen 150), A setting screen 160) is displayed on the display unit 44. Not limited to this, the above-described various instructions may be input to the control unit 80 without using the operation unit 60. Therefore, for example, various instructions (for example, a menu screen display instruction, a thumbnail image selection instruction, etc.) may be input to the control unit 80 from another device by wired communication or wireless communication. Further, the configuration of this modification may be applied to the management apparatus 220 of the second embodiment. The configuration of this modified example is also an example of “input” of various instructions.

(Modification 9) In the first embodiment, the control unit 80 displays the menu screen 100 on the entire surface of the display unit 44 (so-called full screen display) when displaying the menu screen 100 on the display unit 44. Yes. However, the control unit 80 may display the menu screen 100 on a part of the display unit 44 when the menu screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 44. You may apply the structure of this modification to the management apparatus 220 of 2nd Example.

(Modification 10) In the first embodiment described above, when the control unit 80 performs a selection operation for selecting the thumbnail image 110 while the menu screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 44, the menu screen is displayed. Instead of 100, a multi-data screen 150 (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the selected thumbnail image 110 is displayed on the display unit 44. The control unit 80 is not limited to this, and when the selection operation for selecting the thumbnail image 110 is performed while the menu screen 100 is displayed on the display unit 44, the control unit 80 and the selected thumbnail are displayed. The multi-data screen 150 corresponding to the image 110 may be displayed on the display unit 44 (for example, the menu screen 100 and the multi-data screen 150 may be displayed in an overlapping manner). You may apply the structure of this modification to the management apparatus 220 of 2nd Example.

(Modification 11) In the first embodiment, the gaming machine 10, the outmeter 20, the sand 30, the calling lamp 40, the base unit 90, the island unit 92, the hall computer 94, and other devices in the gaming store are mutually connected. The connection configuration and the communication paths for various signals and information are not limited to those described in the above embodiment (see FIG. 1). The mutual connection configuration of each device and the communication path of various signals and information in the first embodiment are merely examples, and the connection configuration of each device in the amusement store and the communication path of various signals and information are other Arbitrary configurations and routes may be employed.

  Further, the technical elements described in the present specification or drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Moreover, the technique illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical usefulness by achieving one of the objects.

2: Game system 4: Game-related device 10: Game machine 20: Out meter 30: Sand 40: Calling lamp 42: Housing 42L: Left edge 42R: Right edge 42U: Upper edge 44: Display 46: Speaker 50: Light emitting unit 52: First area 54: Second area 60: Operation unit 62: Normal call button 64: Service call button 66: Menu display button 68: Selection button 70: Selection button 80: Control unit 90: Stand Unit 92: Island unit 94: Hall computer 100: Menu screen 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120: Thumbnail image 130: Cursor 150: Multi-data screen 152: Data display area 154: Slump graph display area 156: Number of acquired images Graph display area 160: setting screen 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 17 174, 176: Thumbnail image 180: Cursor 200: Energy management system 201: House 210: Solar power generator 212: Air conditioner 214: Lighting fixture 216: Hot water storage water heater 220: Management device 222: Housing 230: Display unit 240 : Operation unit 242: Menu display button 244: Selection button 246: Selection button 250: Control unit 300: Menu screen 302, 304, 306, 308, 310: Thumbnail image 320: Cursor

Claims (4)

An information display device,
A display unit for displaying various information;
A control unit, and
The controller is
An acquisition unit for acquiring device data related to the operating status of the device;
Based on the acquired device data, a generation unit that generates N types (N is an integer of 2 or more) of data display screens;
A first display control unit that displays a menu screen including M thumbnail images (M is an integer between 1 and N) when a menu display instruction is input to the information display device; Each of the M thumbnail images corresponds to each of M types of data display screens among the N types of data display screens, and is an image of a screen having a display format common to the data display screens. The first display control unit, which is an image based on;
When the selection instruction for selecting the first thumbnail image among the M thumbnail images is input while the menu screen is displayed on the display unit, the M types of data display screens are displayed. A second display control unit for causing the display unit to display a first data display screen corresponding to the first thumbnail image;
Comprising
Information display device. Each of the M thumbnail images corresponds to each of the M types of data display screens selected by the user from among the N types of data display screens.
The information display device according to claim 1. The controller is
When a specific condition is satisfied, the second thumbnail image corresponding to the second data display screen related to the specific condition among the N types of data display screens is displayed on the menu screen. A third display control unit for displaying the thumbnail image separately from other thumbnail images on the screen;
The information display device according to claim 1 or 2. The operation unit is provided separately from the display unit and can be operated by a user, and further includes the operation unit having a notification unit,
The controller is
When the specific condition is satisfied, the information processing device further includes a notification control unit that causes the notification unit of the operation unit to perform a notification operation.
The information display device according to claim 3.